Linux Kernel Development: How Fast It is Going, Who is Doing It, What They are Doing, and Who is Sponsoring It [2016]

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Linux, we’ve released our seventh edition of the Linux Kernel Development report. It analyzes the work done by over 13,500 developers since the kernel’s early days, as well as more recent trends.

Key findings:

– Over 13,500 developers from more than 1,300 companies have contributed to the Linux kernel since tracking began 11 years ago.

– The rate of Linux development continues to increase, as does the number of developers and companies involved in the process.

– The number of unpaid developers continues its slow decline, as Linux kernel development proves an increasingly valuable skill sought by employers, ensuring experienced kernel developers do not stay unpaid for long.